Aikens flags up Box Clever case as trial run for litigation reforms – Legal Week
“Senior commercial judge Mr Justice Aikens has earmarked the ongoing Box Clever dispute as a ‘guinea pig’ case, in which he will test the post-BCCI working party recommendations to streamline large-scale commercial litigation.”
Legal Week, 31st January 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
A v Hoare X and Another v Wandsworth London Borough Council – Times Law Reports
House of Lords
“A claim for damages for personal injuries caused by a sexual assault had a limitation period of three years from the date when the victim first considered the injury sufficiently serious to justify proceedings but judges could extend that period if thought equitable.”
The Times, 31st Janaury 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
Sentencing Guidelines Newsletter – Sentencing Guidelines Council
“The 8th edition of the Sentencing Guidelines newsletter provides practitioners with detailed information about sentences for all ranges of offences down to local court or youth offending team level. It covers the period for 2002 to 2006 for adults and 2002 to the end of March 2007 for youths.”
Sentencing Guidelines Council, 31st January 2008
Source: www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk
Related link: The Sentence (PDF)
Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI
The Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Act 1982 (Repeal) Regulations 2008
The William Parker School (Designation as having a Religious Character) Order 2008
The Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2008
The Representation of the People (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2008
The Civil Aviation (Allocation of Scarce Capacity) Regulations 2007
The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008
The Charities Act 2006 (Charitable Companies Audit and Group Accounts Provisions) Order 2008
The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2008
The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) (Amendment) Order 2008
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk
Legal victory for child abuse man – BBC News
“A North Yorkshire man who suffered sexual abuse as a child has won the right to sue his tormentors in a landmark ruling by Law Lords.”
BBC News, 30th January 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Archbishop of Canterbury calls for new law to punish ‘thoughtless or cruel’ words – The Times
“The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has called for new laws to protect religious sensibilities that would punish ‘thoughtless and cruel’ styles of speaking.”
The Times, 29th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Brothel manager escapes jail term – BBC News
“A woman who ran four brothels has escaped a jail term after a judge ruled that ‘no-one was harmed’.”
BBC News, 30th Janaury 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Confidence down for first time in six years – poll – Legal Week
“UK lawyers are more downbeat about the future of their businesses than at any time in the last six years, according to new research from accountancy firm Smith & Williamson.”
Legal Week, 30th January 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
Expenses row MP will quit seat – The Independent
“Tory MP Derek Conway today announced he would stand down at the next election following the controversy over his employment of his son on a parliamentary salary.”
The Independent, 30th January 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Drugged driver jailed for ‘horrific’ crash – The Guardian
“A drugged driver who ploughed into six shoppers in central London, causing injuries that forced a mother and daughter to have their right legs amputated, was today jailed for four years.”
The Guardian, 30th January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Phone taps run at a fraction of reported level – OUT-LAW.com
“Despite press reports to the contrary, public authorities tapped just 1,435 phones and not 250,000 in a nine month period in 2006. The larger figure includes less heavily regulated requests for information about phone usage.”
OUT-LAW.com, 30th January 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
9/11 accused loses final bid for freedom – The Times
“A Moroccan man accused of links with al-Qaeda and involvement in the 9/11 and Madrid attacks will remain in custody after losing his appeal at the House of Lords.”
The Times, 30th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Thompstone v Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust – Times Law Reports
Court of Appeal
“Where a court made a periodical payments order for a claimant in proceedings involving catastrophic injury in the context of future care, of which the main element was the wages of the carers, the annual earnings survey published for care assistants and home carers was the more appropriate and usable index than the retail price index.”
The Times, 30th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
Civil Justice Council Review – Ministry of Justice
“Justice Minister Bridget Prentice has commissioned Dr Jonathan Spencer, an external consultant, to carry out an independent review of the Civil Justice Council.”
Ministry of Justice, 29th January 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
MPs’ anger over withheld spy documents – The Guardian
“Gordon Brown’s promise to strengthen oversight of the security and intelligence agencies was made ‘untenable’ by the government’s refusal to disclose information about the past activities of Britain’s spies, a cross-party group of senior parliamentarians said yesterday.”
The Guardian, 30th January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Straw hesitates on prison plan after critical report – The Guardian
“Jack Straw today appeared to back away from plans to build a new generation of 2,500-person ‘Titan’ jails after criticism from the chief inspector of prisons.”
The Guardian, 30th January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Illegals’ free for security work – BBC News
“At least 4,000 illegal workers have yet to be banned from taking security jobs, despite the passing of a deadline set by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.”
BBC News, 29th January 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘I did not bring this case for the money – it is a fight for justice’ – The Times
“Two decades after being dragged into bushes and sexually assaulted as she took a daylight stroll through a Leeds park, Mrs A still suffers nightmares. Now in her late 70s, Mrs A has said that the brutality of the attack destroyed her confidence and left her with lasting psychiatric injury.”
The Times, 30th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Legal Opinion: Police face legal challenge over criminal records checks – The Independent
“If you have done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to fear. But, asks Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, what if the police could disclose unproven allegations to your employer?”
The Independent, 30th January 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
